Korean J Hepatol.  2007 Sep;13(3):363-369. 10.3350/kjhep.2007.13.3.363.

Comparison of Recent IgG Anti-HAV Prevalence between Two Hospitals in Seoul and Gyeonggi area

• Kim TY
• Sohn JH
• Ahn SB
• Son BK
• Lee HL
• Eun CS
• Jeon YC
• Han DS

• KMID: 760737
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3350/kjhep.2007.13.3.363

Abstract

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Recently, the incidence of acute hepatitis A has increased nationwide and is related to the low rate of IgG anti-HAV. This study compared the prevalence of IgG anti-HAV in two university hospitals located in a large city and in a small city including a rural region according to age, gender, and the year of diagnosis. METHODS: IgG anti-HAV was measured in a total of 4299 patients, who visited Seoul or Guri Hanyang University Hospital between January 2002 and December 2006. RESULTS: The positive rates of the antibody in Seoul and Guri hospitals were 52.7% vs 57.1% in under the age of 1, 40.7% vs 42.2% in age of 1 to 4, 31.8% vs 30.3% in age of 5 to 9, 24.8% vs 27.1% in age of 10 to 14, 11.6% vs 18.2% in age of 15 to 19, 23.0% vs 20.3% in age of 20 to 24, 40.5% vs 42.9% in age of 25 to 29, 67.5% vs 75.0% in age of 30 to 34, 86.5% vs 88.1% in age of 35 to 39, 95.3% vs 93.6% in age of 40 to 44, 97.0% vs 98.7% in age of 45 to 49, and 98.5% vs 98.6% in patients who were more than 50, respectively. The positive rates of the antibody were not significantly different between two sites according to each age group and gender. CONCLUSIONS: The results confirmed the low rates of IgG anti-HAV, particularly in the ages of 10-24 that match the age group of recently increased incidence of acute hepatitis A nationwide. Therefore, measurement of the antibody and vaccination should be considered in this age group.

Keyword

Hepatitis A; IgG anti-HAV; Prevalence; Korea

MeSH Terms

Adolescent
Adult
Aged
Child
Child, Preschool
Female
Hepatitis A/*epidemiology
Hepatitis A Antibodies/*blood
Hepatitis A Virus, Human/immunology
Hospitals
Humans
Immunoglobulin G/*blood
Infant
Korea/epidemiology
Male
Middle Aged
Rural Population
Seroepidemiologic Studies
Urban Population